Hyundai and Kia have both earned kudos for their mid-size sedans, the Hyundai Sonata, and Kia Optima. Both offer size, handling, and good, if not great, gas mileage. However, the Sonata’s six trims and option packages nose out the Optima. Head over to your Hyundai dealer for a test drive.

Two Well-Defined Brands

The Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima (recently rebranded as the K5) are both successful, well-established brands in the competitive mid-size sedan class. Both feature an appealing lineup of engines with plenty of power for city or highway driving. They’re sleek, aerodynamically designed vehicles that combine practicality, efficiency, and sportiness.

Engine Selection & Performance

The Hyundai Sonata sports a lineup of engines that range from the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder (191 hp) to a four-cylinder that delivers 290 hp. There’s also a hybrid version, and all have an eight-speed transmission that delivers power evenly to the wheels. A performance-heavy N trim features tweaks like special wheels and a spoiler aimed at maximizing speed

The Kia Optima comes with a similar lineup, beginning with a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder and topping out with an impressive 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder, all driven by an eight-speed dual-clutch manual transmission for even, reliable shifting through corners and down straight-aways. There’s also a plug-in hybrid model.

Cool Features

The Hyundai Sonata is loaded with a robust list of standard features, including an eight-inch multimedia touchscreen, LED headlights, lane-maintaining assistance, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Options included heated/ventilated front seats, a head-up display, a 25-inch navigation system, Bose stereo, a 360-degree camera system, and more. Kia has added new standard features to the Optima, including a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen and a rearview camera.

What Do They Do Best?

The five-seat Hyundai Sonata is notable for its comfortable drive and excellent cornering, a sedan that blends a stately profile and precise performance. It’s a great choice for drivers seeking a sedan with good looks and power that ranks near the top of the mid-size sedan segment.

The Kia Optima also boasts an attractive exterior as well as a spacious interior that’s comfortable and quiet in traffic. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission makes for smooth and rapid shifting whether you’re navigating through sharp curves or weaving through in-town traffic. A reinforced suspension has made the Optima more nimble maneuvering around corners.

Two Safe, Spacious Sedans

The Hyundai Sonata has plenty of interior space and riding comfort for the whole family. You’ll find more useful tech features than in many of its sedan competitors and an impressive lineup of safety features, such as blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert and automatic emergency braking.

The Kia Optima’s designers have done a good job of adding leg and headroom, and there are plenty of places to store personal belongings. The deep-seated cubby under the armrest is a particularly welcome feature if you have sunglasses, a smartphone, and other personal items to store.

Ultimately, the Hyundai Sonata is a more robust package of power, performance, tech, and efficiency, a slightly better choice than the Kia Optima. Visit your local Hyundai dealer and experience the Hyundai Sonata for yourself.